Mechanises



W. H. RICHTER.

INTERRUPTER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26, I9I9 1,348, 185. Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

WITNESS narran armes.

earner carica.

"UVILLIAMI SEI. RICHTER, 0F PHILADELPHI, PENNSYLVANIA, .ASSIGNOR T0 lT'WATER KENT, 0F ABDMRE, PENNSYLVANIA.

NTEBBUPTEB MECHANSM.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

Application'led June 26, 1219. Serial No. 308,850.

.To all whomt may concern: f

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. RICHTER, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State ofplzennsylvania, have invented new anduseful "Improvements inInterrupterMechan1sm, of

' 0r closed circuit principle, or upon any other suitable principle,condenser structure comprising a condenser embedded in or inclosedwithin a housing or coating of insulating material, forming a condenserunit having terminals and means for securing the condenser unit to amember.

My invention resides further in structure of the character referred towherein the condenser unit itself supports one of the contacts,preferably the stationary contact, of the interruptor mechanism. Myinvention resides in structure of the character hereinafterdescribed-andclaimed.

For anillustration of one of many forms my` invention may take,reference 1s to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of structure embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same. f

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line3-3 of Fig; 4.

Fig. et is a vertical sectional view' partly in elevation', taken on theline 4-4 of Fig. 3.

F ig.l '5 is a diagrammatic view of one of various circuit; arrangementsin which my apparatus is utilizable.

eferring to the drawing, there is therein illustrated 1nterrupterstructure more or less "similar to that illustrated in Letters *Patentof the United States No. 1,289,036, granted December 24, 1918 to A.Kent, the same being my preferred structure with the understanding,however that my invention is not limited thereto.l rlzhe structureillustrated is of 'a so-called closed circuit type in that theinterruptor contacts are normally closed or combustion motor.

suitable plate or base 1 closed for a relativelv long period andseparated to cause circuit interruption for a relatively shorter period.ln this connection, however, it shall be understood that my invention isequally applicable to interrupters operating upon the Lso-called opencircuit principle, wherein the circuit is momentarily closed and isnormally open for a relatively time.

In the drawing,'the metal support, base or great portion of the 'plate lis provided with a hub extension 2 in which is journaled the timer shaftor cam shaft 3 having adjacent its upper end the cam 4, or regularpolygonal outline having an apex for each cylinder of the internal theart, the shaft 3 generally is driven at one-half the speed of the crankshaft of the motor, particularly when it is of the type employing four'strokes per cycle. The cam structure 4 forms an enlargement or shoulderupon the shaft 3, and under the lower edge of the cam structure projectsthe plate 5, held tobase 1 by screws 6, which prevents the shaft 3 fromdropping downwardly, as viewed in -Fig. 2, away from the plate 1 throu hthe hole 7 therein. f

Em racing the hub 2 may be provided the ring clamp 8, drawn tight byscrew 9, and carrying the leyer 10 having a hole 11 to which may beconnected any suitable structure for rotating the hub 2 and therefore thplate 1y and the parts carried thereby 'suitably tov advance or retardthe spark by shift-v open and is, in fact, i

.As well understood in follower, carryingthe movable interruptorcontact, with respectto the cam 4 whichrotates in definite phase or timerelation with respectv to the crank shaft of the engine or motor.

The cam follower comprises the movable contact arm 12 to which issecured the sprin 13 secured to and supported by the upstan ing bracket14 secured by screw 15 to the plate 1. The movable interruptor contact16 is carried by and in 'electrical communication with the arm 12- andis therefore in eleetrical communication with the plate 1, which in turnis in electrical communication with the metal frame or mass of theengine or vehicle carryingthe same, the Contact 16 being thereforegrounded, as understood in this art. This grounding of the contact 16 itwill be understood is merely a preferred arrangement, and is notlimitiife of my intention. At thel end of the arm 12 is provided a shoeor tip 17 of any suitable material, as vulcanized or indurated liber,which is actuated. by the rotating cam periodically to separ ratecontact 16 from and allow restoration thereof by spring 13 intoengagement with the cooperating stationary contact 18 car ried by and inelectrical con'nniinication with the adjustable metallic member 19having the slot 2U through which extends the screw 21 securing themember 19 to the condenser unit 22. v

The condenser unit 22 comprises a condenser 23 of any suitable type, forexample, sheets of tin foil or equivalent separated by suitable flexibledielectric material, as paper, impregnated paper or cloth, orequivalent, and rolled up into a compact roll or mass. To the differentarmatures or sheets of tin foil are connected, respectively, copperribbon or other suitable terminals 24 and 25. To the terminal 24 iselectrically connected the flexible wire or conductor 26 which connectsalso with the iuteriorly screw threaded and exteriorly roughened metalinsert 27. Conductor 26 is also electrically connected With theinteriorly screw threaded and eX- teriorly roughened metallic insert 28.The other condenser terminal 27 is electrically connected with theflexible wire or other conductor 29 which electrically connects with theexteriorly roughened insert 30. The condenser with its terminals 24 and25, the conductors 26 and 29 and the inserts 27, 28 and 30, togetherwith the additional exteriorly roughened insert 31, are placed in a moldand surrounded by plastic or powdered condensite, bakelite or equivalentmoldable insulating material, or any other suitable type of insulatingmaterial,and then subjected to h draulic or other suitably highpressure, pre erably with the application of suitable heat for suitablelength of time, with the re sult that a condenser unit is formed inwhich the condenser 23 is completely and entirely surrounded or housedin the insulating material 32, the pressure which caused the flowingtogether of the condensite, bakelite or other material serving alsogreatly to com` press the condenser 23, bringing the neighboringarmatures with intervening dielectric into very compact relation, withresultant relatively high ca acity as compared with the amount-of tinoil or other armature material or dielectric employed. The condenser sovinclosed in a sealed and rigid housing is thoroughly water-proof andotherwise advantageously protected and shielded and held in thecompressed state in which it has the relatively great capacity referredto. The condenser unit is secure to the base 1 by the screws 33 and 3d,the former extending through Vthe hole in the insert 31 and threadedinto the base plate 1, and the latten similarly' extending through thehole in the insert 30 and threaded into the base plate 1'. lnasmuch asone terminal, namely, 25, of the condenser is connected by conductor 29to the insert 39, the insert 3() becomes electrically connected with thebase plate 1, one terminal of the condenser 23 `therefore being ineffect grounded or connected to the :trame of the apparatus, to which isalso electrically connected, as aforesaid, the movable interruptercontact 16. The aforesaid screw 21 threads into the insert y28 andclamps or holds the member 19 firmly to the condenser unit insubstantial alinement with the lug or ear 35 thereof. In consequence thestationary interrugiter contact 18 is in electrical communicationthrough the member 19 with the insert 28, which is insulated from plate1, and through the conductor 26 with the other terminal 24; of thecondenser. The insert 27, serving as. binding post structure or a partthereof, is in a second lug or ear 36 of the condenser unit, betweenwhich and the washer 37 is clamped a wire or conductor by action of thescrew 38 which threads into the aforesaid insert 27. The Wire held bythe screw 38 and washer 37 is therefore in effect connected through theinterior of the condenser unit through the `conductor 26 with thestationary interrupter contact 18, the conductor 26 at the same timeconnecting the other terminal 24 of the condenser with the stationaryinterruptor contact 18. Accordingly the condenser 23 is as usual bridgedacross or shunted around the'break between the contacts 16 and 18 whenthey are separated by action of the cam 4.

For an illustration of one of the circuit arrangements in which mystructure may be employed, reference is had to Fio'. 5, Wherein is theprimary of an induction coil whose high Itension secondary S connectsthrough a distributer, as well understood in the art, with the sparkplugs of the various c linders of the internal combustion motor. neterminal of the primary P connects through the switch s and the batteryor other source of current B withthe frame or ground F, while its otherterminal connects through `any suitable fixed or variable resistance R,which may be omitted, with the conductor 39, whichvis held under thewasher 37 by screw 38 and thereb' connected with the condenser unitinsert 2 The base 1 is also shown grounded or connected to the mass orframe F. It is accordingly seen that the condenser 23 is bridged acrossthe interrupter contacts-16 and 18 as usual in interrupter systems. .s

By structure ci the character hereinbefore described, it is possible atonce to suitably heuse and inclose the condenser and protect itmechanically and shield it 'from moisture and to employ the housing orcondenser unit as a whole as a structural member in inter- 1ersA vit -retenes rupter mechanism for supporting and A#suitably insulating one ofthe interruptor contacts. In addition other advantages result from mystructure, those skilled in the art who will be able, Without departurefrom4 the spirit of my invention, to modifymy structure .in variousrespects and apply my invention `in various formsn 'What I claim is: Y iy 1. The combinationwith 'an ignition coil, of interruptor structurecomprising relatively' movable interruptor contacts, a base membersupporting one of said contacts, a condenserv unitmomprising a condenserin-v closed in a housing ofinsulating material, a second interruptorcontactsupported upon said insulating material and connected with oneterminal of said'condenser, a secondtermina-l of saidcondenservconnected with said. first named interruptor contact, and a connectionfrom said ignition coil to one terminal of, said condenser and inclosedWithin said insulating housing to said second interruptor contact.

2. The combination with an ignition coil, of interruptor structurecomprising relatively movable interruptor contacts, a conducting basevmember supporting and connected to one of said contacts, .a condenserunit comprising a condenser in a rigid housing of insulating material,means securing said unit and connecting oneterminal of saidl condenserto said base member, a secondinterrupter contact su" ported u on saidcondenser unit and' insu ated theeby from said base member, a connectionfrom the second terminal of said condenser to said second interruptorcontact, vand a connection from said ignition coil to said secondinterruptor Contact inclosed. Within said insulating material. i 3. Thecombination with an ignition coil, of interruptor mechanism i comprisingrelatively movable interruptor contacts, a base member supporting one ofsai-d ciitacts, a

unit of insulating material secured to said base member, a conductingelement carried by said insulating material, a member snpporting asecond interruptor contact secured to said element, a condenser inclosedin said' insulating material and having one terminal connected to saidelement, and a connection between the other terminal of said condenserand first named interruptor Contact.

e. The combination with an ignition coil, ot interruptor mechanismcomprising relatively movable interruptor contacts, a conductingbasemeniber supporting and connected to one of said interruptorcontacts, a unit oi insulating material, a conducting element carriedthereby, a member supporting the second interruptor contact secured tosaid element, a second conducting element carried by said insulatingmaterial, means as will be apparent to,

coperating with said second element to secure said unit to' said basemember and to connect said second element to said base member, and acondenser housed Withinl said unit and having its terminals connected,re- 'lo spec'tivel'y, to said elements.`

v A5.l The combination with an ignition coil, of interruptor mechanismcomprising relatively movable interrupter contacts, a base membersupporting one of said contacts, a unit of insulating' material `securedto said base member, said unit having a lug,an insert in saidlug, amember carrying the secondA interruptor contact held on said lug by saidinsert, a condenser Within said 'unit v and having. terminals connected,respectively,

with said insert and with the first named interruptor contact.

6. The combination With an ignition coil,

sesv

vsulating material, condenser Within said unlt, an insert 1n said unitconnected with one terminal of said condenser and with said base member,a pair of inserts electrically 4coiinected with each other Within saidinsulating material and withk the second terminal of said condenser, anda member heldto one of said pairof inserts and carrying the secondinterruptor contact.`

7. Interrupter structure comprising relativel movable contacts, a basemember on` whic one of said contacts is supported, rotary cam structurefory causing relative movement ci said contacts, a unit of insulatingmaterial having lugs between. which said cam structure is located,inserts in said lugs insulatedfrom said base member and con-- nected toeach other within said insulating material, one of said insertscomprising binding post structure, a conducting member secured totheinsert in one of said lugs and carrying the second interruptorcontact, a condenser Within said insulatingmaterial,

one terminal of said condenser connected to said conducting member, andan insert in said insulating lmaterial connected to the second terminalof said condenser.

8. Interruptor structure comprising relatively movable interruptercontacts, a conducting base member carrying and connected to one of saidcontacts, a condenser molded in a rigid housing of insulating material,a 12o conducting member carrying the second interrupter contactsupported on said insulated housing, means securing said housing tosaidl base member and Aconnectilfig a condenser terminal thereto, andmeans Within said insulating material connecting the second terminal ofsaid condenser with said 'conducting member.

'9. lnterrupterstructure comprising relatively movable interruptercontacts, a con- 139 ducting base member carrying and connected to oneof said contacts, a condenser molded in la rigid housing of insulatingmaterial, a conducting member carrying the second interrupter contactsupported on said insulated housing, means securing said housing to saidbase member and connecting a con denser terminal thereto, means Withinsaid insulating material connectingthe second terminal of said condenserwith said conducting member, binding post structure carried by saidAinsulating material and insulated thereby from said base member, and aconnection within said insulating material from said binding poststructure to said conducting member.

1U. Interruptor mechanism comprising relatively movable interruptercontacts, a base member carrying one of said contacts, a housing ofinsulating material, a condenser within said housing, a conductingmember supported by said housing carrying the second ,interrupter'contact and adjustable on said housing, and connections from theterminals of said condenser to said interrupter contacts.

11. Interrupter structure comprising relatively movable interruptercontacts, a base member carrying one of said contacts, a housing ofinsulating material carried upon said base member, a condenser Withinsaid housing, and a second interrupter contact supported upon saidhousing.

12. The combination with an induction coil, of interrupter structurecomprising rel atively movable interrupter contacts, a groundedconducting base member supporting and electrically connected to one ofsaid contacts, a housing of insulating material carried on said basemember, a condenser Within said housing, one terminal of Said condenserbeing connected to said base member, a second of said interruptercontacts supported on said housing, and electrical connections'from theprimary winding' ot said induction coil to the second terminal of saidcondenser and to the second of said interrupter contacts. y

13. The combination with an induction coil, of interrupter structurecomprising relatively movable interrupter contacts, a conducting basemember supporting and connected to one of said contacts, a housing ofinsulating material carried on said member, a condenser Within saidhousing, a second interrupter contact carried upon said housing andinsulated from said member, one terminal of said condenser connecteditosaid member, said member connected in the primary circuit of said coil,and said second contact connected to the second terminal ot' saidcondenser.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aixed my signature this 24 day ofJune, 1919.

WILLIAM H. RICHTER.

